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Azov strikes spark accusations
Russia accused Ukraine of terrorism after Ukrainian forces carried out drone strikes on vessels in the Sea of Azov, with Ukraine’s drone forces commander Robert Brovdi saying Ukrainian drones hit 11 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight.
Brovdi said the targets included five tankers, five dry cargo vessels and one tugboat, and he added that the latest strikes brought the total number of vessels hit in the past nine days to 116.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the attacks were aimed at causing damage and spreading fear, calling them "It is terrorism, pure and simple," during a press conference with Chad’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul.
Ukraine rejected Russia’s accusations, with a Ukrainian military source telling Reuters that "Civilian cargoes are not among them" and that Russia was looking for a pretext to justify strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
Reuters also reported that commercial shipping in the Sea of Azov remained restricted on Tuesday, with a source saying commercial vessels were unable to enter or leave the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait or the Azov-Don channel.
Kyiv expands to Black Sea
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces said it expanded its campaign from the Sea of Azov into the Black Sea, claiming strikes on 20 Russian vessels overnight, with Robert “Magyar” Brovdi saying the attacks took place in the Black Sea rather than the Sea of Azov.
Hromadske reported that Brovdi said Ukrainian forces hit 17 oil tankers, two gas carriers and one tugboat, while Reuters reported that the attacks prompted Russia to shut down sea routes leading to the Sea of Azov.
In a separate response to Lavrov’s earlier comments, Brovdi said, "No piracy, Lavrov — just business," and he added, "116 vessels have been struck in the Sea of Azov over nine days" in the same framing of the campaign.
Al Jazeera reported that Russia was preparing to use "alternative shipping routes" and may redirect cargo "to other modes of transport," citing Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture.
Al Jazeera also reported that Lavrov accused Ukraine of carrying out "acts of terrorism," while Kyiv’s commander said the drone attacks hit 11 Russian vessels in the Azov Sea overnight and brought the total number of vessels struck in the past nine days to 116.
Deadly strikes and shifting routes
As the maritime campaign intensified, Insurance Journal reported that Russia killed three people in an attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, while Kyiv’s drone forces struck Russian shipping.
The same report said Odesa region Governor Oleh Kiper described a "massive" Russian drone and missile attack on the southern region continuing for a fifth day, and it said three people were killed and at least three more injured after a Russian missile strike on a seven-story residential building in Odesa.
Insurance Journal also said Ukrainian drones hit 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea overnight, and it quoted Robert Brovdi on Telegram saying "Now Black Sea," while adding that 116 vessels have been struck in the Sea of Azov this month.
In parallel, Marine Insight reported that the Sea of Azov is located at the mouth of the Don River and is an important route for southern Russia’s grain-producing regions, while Reuters sources said commercial vessels were unable to enter or leave the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait or the Azov-Don channel.
Marine Insight further reported that Russia’s Agriculture Ministry said export shipments could be moved through alternative routes if needed, and it quoted the ministry saying, "supply logistics will be redirected if necessary," as Russia’s Union of Grain Exporters and Producers said the country would continue meeting its grain export commitments.
